LOUISVILLE, Ky. — They may be too young to vote but kids in Louisville are using their voices to create change. School districts are standing with them by saying they are committed to creating an inclusive culture.
"Even though we're not allowed to vote, we're not allowed to really sign a petition...our voices can make a difference," Jay Jay said.
The organizer of this 'kids protest' is 13-year-old Jay Jay.
"I cry at nighttime because of what happens after watching the News and seeing Black bodies dying every day. We are the future of this community and we want to live and our voices should be heard," Jay Jay said.
Youth-led protests in Louisville are a part of nationwide demonstrations in response to recent race-related cases involving police. Two of them hit close to home.
"Black lives matter and we shouldn't be getting treated like this because of our skin color." Jay Jay said.
"Black lives do matter – we mean that," the executive director of Indiana Urban Schools Association, Dr. David Marcotte, said.
For most kids, learning about current and historical events starts in the classroom which is why K through 12 school districts are stepping up.
37 of them in Indiana are a part of IUSA.
"We need to look at our policies and our procedures and some of the traditions that we have in our schools and we need to look at it through a different lens."
More recently, JCPS shared a similar message on its YouTube page.
"I'm inspired by our JCPS family to make sure our district works even harder to achieve racial equity." Dr. Marcotte said.
In a statement, the Kentucky Board of Education said schools will look for ways to increase diversity and to train teachers, staff, and students on racial bias.
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